Rushed, hurried, stressed. Time, there is never enough time. There is always enough stuff, too much stuff. It adds to the stress, distracts from the time. Time spent chasing the perfect gift only to be let down when the recipent receives the gift with indifference. Wasting of time and energy, leaving you feeling deflated, disappointed and unappreciated. Constant distractions from the real, true meaning of Christmas, the birth of the one true King, Jesus.

Time is a thief

Time is the one thing that we cannot replace. Each minute passes by, turning into hours, days, months and years. Before you know it, they are grown. Or they are gone, vanished, in an instant. And you long for one more moment with them, a hug, the sound of their voice, the way you smell like their cologne after they hug you goodbye for the day. For many during this season, it may seem difficult if not impossible to experience joy. But the sun will rise, the son did rise. And He will bring you a new hope.

A sure thing

Jesus is the one sure thing in this life. He will not leave you feeling exhausted and time devoted to him will not be lost or in vain. He promises that his yoke is easy and his burden is light (Matthew 11:3), that he will carry your heavy burden and give you rest (Matthew 11:28). For many during this season it may seem impossible to believe there is a God at all. Perhaps you are in the most painful season of your life, reeling from the tragic loss of a child or a loved one. Maybe you are alone, with no one to love you. Or you aren’t sure whether you can pay the bills to keep the heat on or the roof over your head. Your marriage may be holding on by a thread. But I am here to tell you that Jesus is throwing you a scarlet lifeline. You simply have to reach out and grab it.

Temporal pain

You might ask yourself why God would allow us to experience pain and sorrow. But the experience of this life is not the experience of eternity if we know and follow Jesus. This pain and sadness, though crippling it may be in the moment, will not mark all of your days. There will be joy in the morning. God will wipe away all of your tears (Revelation 21:4). We will rejoice in heaven with our savior and will be reunited with those we love who are are one in the faith (John 14:2-3). How can we reassure ourselves of the hope for eternity in heaven?

God’s promise

God promises us this hope when we turn our hearts to Jesus, when we make the choice to follow him and make him our Lord and savior (John 3:16). He does not promise us that we will never experience pain or heartache but fills us with the hope, reassurance and confidence that we will live in the joy and peace that can only be found through Him. The world will always disappoint.

What would it look like to slow and savor Christmas? Consider attending a Christmas Eve service. Spend time with friends and family. Engage in meaningful conversation with someone. Perform a small act of kindness for a complete stranger or maybe someone in your household. Visit someone who can’t get out of their home. Put your phone down and smile at passersby. Forgive. And if you don’t know Jesus, he has an open invitation for anyone who is willing to come to him. Doesn’t matter the garbage you carry. He can take care of that for you. I promise.

As you wake tomorrow morning, listen to this song and stand in awe of what God has done.